Toothbrush with integral dentifrice container

ABSTRACT

TOOTHBRUSHES ADAPTED FOR CARRYING IN THE POCKET OR PURSE WHEREIN THE DENTIFRICE AND BRUISH ARE BOTH CONTAINED WITHIN A CLOSABLE CONTAINER.

Feb. 2, 1971 M. P. MIRANDA 60 TOOTHBRUSH WITH INTEGRAL DENTIFRICE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 23, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J 5 mwsmorc MICHAEL RMIRANDA ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1971 M. P. MIRANDA 3,560,103

TOOTHBRUSH WITH INTEGRAL DENTIFRICE CONTAINER Filed Oct. 23, 1 968 2 She ets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MICHAEL P. MIRANDA 0M rash;

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,560,103 TOOTI-IBRUSH WITH INTEGRAL DENTIFRICE CONTAINER Michael P. Miranda, New York, N.Y. (745 President St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215) Filed Oct. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 770,008 Int. Cl. A46b 11/04 U.S. Cl. 401-278 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Toothbrushes adapted for carrying in the pocket or purse wherein the dentifrice and brush are both contained within a closable container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, toothbrushes and similar devices have been developed wherein dentifrice and toothbrushes are both contained within a unit that will permit their being carried within the pocket. These devices have included means for carrying the dentifrice within the handle of the toothbrush. A variety of arrangements for dispensing the dentifrice onto the brush have been developed, including: squeezing and pouring a liquid or paste, respectively, onto the bristles through perforations at the base of the brush. In general, the prior devices have not obtained the acceptance of the public because they were subject to leakage, awkward to carry, difficult to refill, or cumbersome to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to toothbrush containers and more particularly to containers which have the toothbrush as an integral part thereof along with a supply of suitable dentifrice.

It is contemplated that the device of the present invention may be carried by a user throughout extended periods of time and may be in direct contact with their clothing. Accordingly, it is essential that the device be leakproof. Furthermore, since this device will be carried throughout the work day, it is important that it be relatively inconspicuous although always convenient.

As shown by the numerous embodiments illustrated hereafter, the invention is concerned with a toothbrush and dentifrice carrying device which takes the form of a fountain pen or the like. Thus, it may be clipped easily within the pocket of a business suit or shirt. The device of the invention is also readily carried within a womans handbag. The dentfrice for use with the toothbrush may be stored either within the barrel of the device or within a detachable cap.

In accordance with several embodiments of the invention, there is provided a device with toothbrush bristles at one end and a handle portion that is hollow and substantially cylindrical in shape. The dentifrice is contained within the handle and unique gating means are provided for gating the dentifrice to the brush bristles under manual control.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the dentifrice within the handle is contained in a stick form and the stick may be removed from the handle and applied to the toothbrush.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the dentifrice is contained within the cap of a complete unit and a brush unit is movably inserted within the mating barrel of the device. The brush unit is secured within the barrel when not in use and is moved forward within the barrel until it is in a projecting position when dentifrice is to be applied thereto.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for dental hygiene which may be carried in pocket or purse.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved device for dental hygiene which is economical to manufacture.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved toothbrush with integral means for carrying dentifrice.

An ancillary object related to the provision of a combined toothbrush and dentifrice carrying device, is the development of such a device which will be able to accept dentifrice refills.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved toothbrush comprising barrel and cap portions wherein the brush is movably secured within the barrel portion in two separate positions, the first position being entirely within the barrel and the second position projecting from the barrel.

A more complete understanding of the invention as well as further objects and features thereof, will be available from the following detailed description made in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an illustrative perspective view of a toothbrush embodying the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the barrel and brush of the device shown in FIG. 1, with a partial cross-section through the brush portion;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken along lines 33 and 4-4 in FIG. 2, respectively;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a cross-section through the barrel and bristle portion and gating means interposed between dentifrice in the barrel and the brush portion;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a dentifrice container adapted iiipIrGptgsitioning within the barrel of the device shown in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken through the center of an embodiment of the invention, wherein a dentifrice in the form of a solid stick is provided;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through the center of the cap of an embodiment of the invention, wherein dentifrice is contained within the cap;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the cap shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through the center of a closed device of the type contemplated by a further embodiment of the invention, illustrating the retracted position of a brush when the dentifrice is contained Within the cap; and

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the barrel and brush portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, wherein the brush is extended to its utilization position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is an illustration of a completed toothbrush in the form it takes in the various embodiments of the invention. As shown, the unit comprises two basic portions; a barrel portion 10 and a cap portion 11. Means may be provided on the cap portion 11, such as clip 12, for securing the entire unit within the pocket of clothing when not .in use. The toothbrush portion 13 is either mounted or adapted for mounting on the top 14 of the barrel 10. As will be explained hereinafter in connection with the various embodiments of the invention, the toothbrush portion 13 may be permanently affixed to the top end of the barrel 10 or it may be movably engaged so that it can be collapsed within the barrel portion when the cap 11 is secured thereto. The cap 11 may be threadably engage- 3 able with the barrel portion or it may be held in place by spring members of the nature familiarly used in conjunction with fountain pens.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein a liquid or powder dentifrice '16 is contained within the barrel. The dentifrice 16 is inserted within the bottom portion of the barrel via an end opening 17. The end opening may advantageously be threadedly engaged to the barrel itself, and if liquid dentifrice is used, a suitable fluid tight washer will be employed at the joint. When not in use, the dentifrice is kept within the barrel portion by means of a gating member 18- which is in proximity to a perforated member 19. Gating member 18 and perforated member 19 are more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 3, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the perforated member 19 contains a number of aligned holes 21. Solid portions of gating member 18 are in direct opposition to the holes 21. In addition, gating member 18 has a number of openings 20 which are normally out of coincidence with the holes 21 in member 19. Spring means 22 at one end of the gating member 18 insures its positioning as shown. In order to place the holes 20 in juxtaposition with holes 21, a projecting portion 23 is manually depressed. In order to apply dentifrice to the bristles of brush 13, projection 23 is depressed and the unit is held with the bristles downward. The dentifrice is thus permitted to flow down through the cavity 24 in the brush portion and gains access to the bristles via apertures 25 that appear at the base thereof.

It should be noted that upon release of projection 23, gate member 18 blocks holes in member 19 and the dentifrice is thereafter contained without possibility of leakage. It should also be recognized that when the device of the present invention is placed within a pocket, the dentifrice is seated directly within a fully enclosed barrel portion and there is little tendency of leakage even if the gating member were not secure. In actual operation, it is considered that the gating device would be closed while the unit is in a vertical direction and that all dentifrice contained within cavity 24 would be consumed during the brushing operation.

Two further aspects of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 should be noted before considering the next embodiment of the invention. First, spring means 22 may conveniently comprise a resilient rubber-like material and may even be an integral part of gating member 18. Second, the barrel 15 may be made flexible or incorporate a moving device to assist in impelling dentifrice towards the brush end of the unit.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the dentifrice is contained within a separate container that is inserted into the barrel. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated, the dentifrice is contained within a disposable container 27, having an open end portion 28 disposed at one edge thereof. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section through such a container. The barrel of the device of this embodiment terminates at the brush end with an opening that is closed by a gate valve 29 disposed in a position that will be coincident with the opening 28 of the dentifrice container. The gate valve provides access to a channel 30 that proceeds behind the brush 13 to apertures 25 which provide access to the bristles themselves. The gate 29 is held in a normally closed position by spring means 24. In the utilization of this embodiment, one inverts the device so that the brush end is down, compresses the gate 29 in order to permit flow of dentifrice to the brush bristles, and finally releases gate 29 closing off dentifrice flow.

In both of the embodiments thus far described, it should be appreciated that the cap portion 11, when in place, completely shields the gate enabling projections and thereby prevents the accidental discharge of dentifrice. It should also be noted that the dentifrice in each case can be easily charged into the barrel of the device. It is within the skill of those in the art to adapt the barrel for either holding the dentifrice itself or accepting a dentifrice container such as that shown in FIG. 6.

A third specific embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of a solid dentifrice which may comprise usual dental materials in a compressed or stick form. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the barrel portion 10 is open on the end 15 and has internal threads 31 for mating with threads 32 on a removable cap portion 33. Secured within removable cap portion 33, is a stick 34 of compressed or otherwise solidified dentifrice. The front end of barrel 10 similarly has a threaded portion 35 adapted for engagement with mating threads on a cap portion (not shown). In the utilization of this embodiment of the invention, it is simply necessary to unscrew rear cap 33, moisten the brush, and apply the dentifrice thereto. There is no possibility of spillage with this embodiment of the invention, inasmuch as the stick is in no way liable to spill or leak. It is also contemplated that when an embodiment of this type is employed, small air holes 36 may be provided in the barrel in order to provide ventilation thereof and insure drying of the stick 34 if desired.

Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 11. In this embodiment the dentifrice is contained within the cap of the device. In order to permit this, it is necessary that the brush portion be retractable within the barrel when the cap is in place for carrying.

FIG. 8 illustrates the positioning of a dentifrice 40 Within the cap itself. The top portion of cap 11 may be threadedly engaged with the body of the cap and secure a removable dentifrice container 41 in position. The bottom 42 of this container is preferably fabricated from a rubber-like membrane having slots 39 therein of size and structure adapted to permit the insertion of the brush 13 and its withdrawal. Thus, when it is desired to place dentifrice upon the brush, one simply inserts it through membrane 42 and extracts it properly coated with dentifrice.

When it is desired to assemble the unit for carrying, the brush 13 is retracted within barrel 43 to a position at which it will be secured by spring retaining clips 44. The particular manner in which the brush is slid forward and back is not germane to the invention, but may include a projection 45 which extends through the barrel and may be engaged by the finger of a user. It should be noted that brush 13 in this embodiment has a stock portion 46 which is of limited length. The stock portion being of a length adapted to permit its retraction into the barrel itself and also of sufficient length to provide stability when the brush is extended, as shown in FIG. 11, and held by spring retaining washers 47.

It is appreciated that although a number of embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. By way of example, the cap may be employed as a brush handle in place of the barrel portion in some embodiments. All modifications which stem from the spirit and teachings of this invention are intended to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A toothbrush and dentifrice carrying device having barrel and cap portions, said portions being adapted for joining when positioned along a common longitudinal axis, said barrel portion having a cavity therein for storing dentifrice, a brush secured as an integral part to one end of said barrel portion and having bristles extending orthogonal to said longitudinal axis, a channel extending from said cavity to the root end of said bristles and having openings at the base thereof, a valve having adjacent portions with a plurality of normaly non-coincident perforations in said channel interposed between said cavity and said channel, means for placing said plurality of perforations in coincident relationship to permit passage of said dentifrice from said cavity to said channel,

5 and a temporary storage cavity in said channel adjacent to said valve on the brush side thereof.

2. A toothbrush and dentifrice carrying device as defined in claim 1, wherein one portion of said valve is fixedly mounted within said barrel, and the other portion of said valve is resiliently mounted, said other portion being positionable from the outside of the barrel to establish said coincident relationship of perforations.

3. A toothbrush and dentifrice carrying device as defined in claim 2, wherein said cap portion extends beyond said valve means when it is joined to said 'barrel portion.

4. A toothbrush and dentifrice carrying device as defined in claim 3, wherein said barrel portion is flexible.

5. A toothbrush and dentifrice carrying device as defined in claim 1, wherein said dentifrice is stored within a detachable container that fits within the cavity of said barrel portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 191,259 5/1877 Snell 401-278 779,936 1/1905 Hodgen 40l278 1,060,282 4/1913 Pettibone 401206 1,380,884 6/1921 Cosmos 401278X 2,294,285 8/1942 Chu 401278X 2,814,816 12/1957 Pepping et a1. 401280X HARLAND S. SKOGQUIST, Primary Examiner 

